The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has new leaders.

As of today, Joe Carmichael, Springfield, will serve as the commission’s chair for the next year, while Steve Miller, Kansas City, will assume the position of vice chair.

Carmichael was appointed to the commission in May 2009. Miller has served on the commission since August 2009. The terms on the commission of previous chair Rudy Farber and vice chair Grace Nichols formally expire this month.

They will continue to serve as commissioners until the Governor appoints replacements.

“I want to thank Rudy and Grace for their leadership the past two years,” said Carmichael, who once was chair of the Missouri Democratic Party.

“Rudy has been instrumental in getting a conversation going to solve Missouri’s transportation funding problem, and Grace was our chair during the implementation of the Bolder Five-Year Direction. Missourians will benefit greatly from their strong leadership for years to come.”